Make tourism accessible to all, players urged

Players in the tourism sector have been urged to improve their infrastructure and services to ensure that they are accessible to people with disabilities and the elderly.

As the demand for accessible tourism continues to grow, this year's World Tourism Day commemorations were held with special emphasis on accessible tourism to all citizens this follows realisation that most tourism products, facilities and services were inaccessible to everyone especially by those living with disabilities, the elderly and children.

The celebrations that were held in Kwekwe were punctuated by song, dance and poetry and highlighted disability issues in the context of travel and tourism.

The senator representing people living with disabilities in parliament, Anna Shiri, noted with concern that most tourism facilities do not adequately cater for people with disabilities and urged players in the industry to strive for inclusive tourism so that even people living with disabilities can enjoy their services.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Anastasia Ndlovu said his ministry is seized by the whole issue of ensuring that tourism is accessible to all citizens.

YaFM radio Chairman and Buy Zimbabwe Campaign CEO, Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, also said players in the tourism sector should create stories or theme parks that tell the Zimbabwean story so as to broaden their appreciation and understanding of the country's tourism sector.

This year's World Tourism Day was held under the theme: 'Tourism For All,' promoting universal accessibility in line with the 20th UNWTO General Assembly of 2013 which adopted accessible tourism as reference document for tourism stakeholders.